DETAILS

DEL MAR 
Before he makes his grand entrance, Cristallo is pampered like a Hollywood leading man.

He stands patiently between two grooming stations and receives a full-body massage, then applications of moisturizer, baby powder, rubbing alcohol and a smear of Vaseline for his lips. Occasionally, the finishing touch is a spritz of fly repellent spray.

Grooming is essential to preparing a horse for competition and Cristallo, a Holsteiner gelding, is set to compete in the $100,000 Grand Prix at the Del Mar National Horse Show today.

His rider, Richard Spooner, known as the Master of Faster, has more than 100 Grand Prix wins to his credit and career earnings of about $1 million.

The Grand Prix is the highest level of show jumping, an event that requires horse and rider to navigate a complex course of 10 to 16 obstacles of varying heights. A competitive jumper must have the courage and strength to jump over high fences and execute tight, fast turns.

Grooming doesn't just beautify; it identifies potential hazards, such as infestations or cuts, before the horse goes into the ring.

The groomer watches for any coat, mane or hoof irregularity that might compromise a win.

“He's about to go into competition,” Massenzi said. “We get the brushing done, then we put the tack on, the saddle and bridle. We put on wraps, or leg protection, and some horses wear bell boots (rubberized cups) so they don't cut themselves when they land. It helps protect the shoe also; sometimes the horse may overreach and pull the shoe off.”

Massenzi, 23, was born in Brazil. His parents were horse breeders, and he came to California as a teenager to work at El Campeon Farms, the prestigious equine facility in Thousand Oaks where last year's Olympic Gold Medal-winner Will Simpson and his jumper, Carlsson vom Dach, trained.

“I was supposed to stay three months, now I've been here five and a half years,” Massenzi said.

“I have it easy because I love what I do. With horses, especially in competition, you have to focus and be sure they are properly tacked and ready to go to the ring.”

Getting a horse properly tacked involves a lot of detailed effort and the use of many products, some made for people. Vaseline and Wesson oil moisten the lips and nostrils. Baby powder and Desenex work well for protecting wounds and scratches from infection.

Before the jumper enters the ring, groomers often use hoof polish enhancer, mane mousse and brightening sprays that make white markings (like the star on Cristallo's forehead) even whiter.

Like humans, a horse must endure some beauty treatments, while others are enjoyed.

The manes of jumping horses are kept short, and the hair is thinned by pulling; sometimes Orajel is applied to numb the area first.

“We don't like long manes because when you jump, it gets caught up in the reins,” Massenzi said.

“Most jumper horses have really short manes or they have braids. If it is too long, it can bother the horse's competition.”

As Cristallo's coat was getting its final brushing, his mouth appeared to be mumbling.

“The horse is communicating all the time,” Massenzi said, as his eyes scanned the length of the regal equine.

“When a horse is making that chewing motion with his mouth, it usually means he is enjoying himself. When they experience pleasure, it stimulates the saliva glands.”

Marcia Manna covers arts, entertainment and community news for the Union-Tribune.